Measles (Rubeola) (cont.)

Edmond Hooker, MD, DrPH

Dr. Eddie Hooker is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Services Administration at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is also an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Louisville and at Wright State University. His areas of expertise include emergency medicine, epidemiology, health-services management, and public health.

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

Can the measles virus be used to cure cancer?

In 2014, there were case reports of patients with multiple myeloma (a type of blood "cancer") being treated with a genetically engineered (altered) measles virus that attacks tumor cells. This is called virotherapy. This type of therapy has been used since the 1950s, but now there is renewed hope that this new use of the measles virus will bring hope to many patients with multiple myeloma.

United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Measles." Manual for the Surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, 4th ed. 2008. <http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/surv-manual/chpt07-measles.htm>.

United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Measles, Mumps, and Rubella -- Vaccine Use and Strategies for Elimination of Measles, Rubella, and Congenital Rubella Syndrome and Control of Mumps: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)." MMWR 47 (No. RR-8) 1998: 1–57.

United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Notes from the Field: Measles Transmission Associated
With International Air Travel -- Massachusetts and New York, July -- August 2010."
MMWR 59.33 Aug. 2010: 1073.

United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Use of Combination Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella Vaccine: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)." MMWR 59(RR03) 2010: 1-12.